A leader in the Medical Laboratory Science program, Strous receives UWO 2025 Alumni Outstanding Service Award

A notable University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh alumnus who earned two degrees and worked a distinguished career as medical technology program director at his alma mater and served three terms on its Alumni Board, will receive the UWO 2025 Alumni Outstanding Service Award.

John Strous of Oshkosh, will be honored Homecoming Weekend next month for exemplary contributions to UWO through his volunteer efforts, energy, leadership and philanthropic donations.

Strous graduated with a bachelor's degree in biology in 1972 and started a career that included various roles at Mercy Medical Center-a bench technologist, a clinical laboratory p.m. supervisor, medical technologist, and emergency department aide/technician-his first full-time job after graduation and a job he said led him to his career in health care.

After five years in the emergency room, he began a medical technology internship at Mercy Medical Center and was working on his master's degree in microbiology, which he earned in 1982. Strous went on to serve 27 years as director of the UWO medical technology program (now medical laboratory science) from July 1991 to August 2017.

Forever a Titan

Strous said he enjoyed undergraduate classes with Leonard Tews, mycologist in biology; and Shannon Randerson, a geneticist in biology. During his master's coursework, he appreciated working with a number of the microbiology professors within the biology department, including Joseph Zilinsky, Dorthy Parker and Mary Rigney.

Rigney, who was medical technology program director from 1985-1991, encouraged Strous to apply when the position came open.

"I loved being a bench technologist in the laboratory and was somewhat hesitant to leave that environment, but I applied and was offered the position," Strous said. "It turns out I loved being the UWO medical technology program director just as much."

Strous belonged to a number of professional organizations, including American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science (ASCLS), the American Society for Clinical Pathology, the American Society for Microbiology, Fox Valley Society for Clinical Laboratory Science and Wisconsin Association of Blood Banks.

He has volunteered in his community, notably at the Christine Ann Center's Men Who Cook event and as a lifeguard and swim instructor at the downtown YMCA; and for many events promoting UWO and sponsored by the UWO Alumni Association.

He is proud of his John E. Strous Medical Technology Endowment at the UWO Foundation that has grown in excess of $50,000 and is primarily used to support medical technology scholarships. The fund was started when an external consultant in her 1999-2000 report, noted Strous was devoting time beyond his contractual agreement to maintain the program known for its excellence and donated her $750 fee to establish the fund.

Strous has volunteered and was an active member of the UWO Alumni Association Board (until his term ended in 2024) and continues to give back to the UWO community in a variety of ways.

Committed

"John Strous has been a dedicated professional and an asset to both the UW-Oshkosh community and the medical laboratory science profession for many years," wrote Kathryn Golab, a former student from New Berlin, in a nomination letter.

Golab noted that Strous took over as director of the UWO medical technology program in the early 1990s and spent nearly 30 years mentoring and developing medical laboratory scientists to become professionals and leaders within their field. It prompted his successor, Mallory Janquart, to take action to follow in his footsteps. Strous mentored Janquart for several years before retiring to be an emeritus professor of the program.

"During his tenure as program director, he played a pivotal role in the growth and success of the program, more than doubling its enrollment," she said, adding that Strous's commitment to excellence and innovative approach to teaching expanded the program and enhanced its reputation.

Past student, Alexandra Nussbaum of Minneapolis, Minnesota, said Strous' leadership and volunteer efforts for the medical laboratory profession and for UWO make him deserving of the outstanding service award.

Nussbaum explained how Strous "went to bat" for her with her credit transfer to make going back to school realistic.

She said Strous was instrumental in the trajectory of her career and introduced her to the American Society of Clinical Laboratory Science-a professional organization both are deeply involved in and connections that have led her to numerous points of personal growth.

She said with the support Strous has provided, "he is the first person I think of when I want to share the news" of something special happening in her career.

Strous has served ASCLS for more than 30 years, served on numerous positions at the state and national levels, contributing greatly to the advancement of medical laboratory science education and workforce.

"Being in a career that is overshadowed by most other health care professions, it takes a motivated person to advocate for a career path that is not glamorous, high in pay or well known," Nussbaum said. "He pursued people passionate about science and helped to blossom them into young, motivated and passionate medical laboratory scientists. His legacy will live on through his students."

Strous' days at UWO helped him realize his dreams.

"I believe I have had a wonderful career and professional life and a very positive life in general and it all stems from my time at UW-Oshkosh.

The University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh will celebrate the talents and successes of 11 alumni during Homecoming 2025 this October. Five top graduates will receive the Outstanding Young Alumni Award for their professional and civic accomplishments within 15 years of receiving their degrees; five will receive the Distinguished Alumni Award for their accomplishments in their professional fields; and one-Strous- will receive the Alumni Outstanding Service Award for making exemplary contributions to support UWO through volunteer efforts, energy, leadership and/or philanthropic donations.

The 2025 Alumni Awards Celebration will be held Friday, Oct. 17 at the Culver Family Welcome Center, with a reception at 5 p.m. followed by the dinner and program beginning at 6 p.m. Cost of the event is $40 per person. More information is available by contacting UWO Alumni Relations at (920) 424-3449, or [email protected]

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UW-Oshkosh Homecoming

Eleven UWO alumni to be honored at Alumni Awards Celebration Homecoming weekend